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The Santa Klauss is back in town! In this exclusive conversation, former St. Louis CITY SC striker and current LA Galaxy talisman João Klauss sits down with Jake and Justin from Ball Watching the morning after his dramatic return to Energizer Park. From receiving a standing ovation from the St. Louis faithful to finding the back of the net against his former side, Klauss reflects on an emotional weekend, and his scorching form in Los Angeles.

Here is what we cover in this episode:

 * The St. Louis Homecoming: Klauss takes us inside his emotional weekend return—from dinner at his favorite St. Louis spot to the spine-tingling standing ovation at Energizer Park, reconnecting with former teammates, and finding out who gave him the most grief after scoring against them.
 * Thriving in Carson: What unlocked his blistering start with the Galaxy? Klauss breaks down his relationship with Greg Vanney, how his tactical responsibilities as a No. 9 have evolved, and what it’s like building an instant telepathic connection with Marco Reus.
 * The Final Push & 2027 Ambitions: Managing the physical grind through late-season knocks, what the Galaxy locker room is demanding of each other heading into the postseason, and how Klauss is measuring personal success beyond the scoresheet as he looks ahead to next season.

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Find our guest interviews and all episodes in video form on YouTube by searching https://www.youtube.com/@ballwatchingSTL. Be sure to hit subscribe and turn notifications on!

Hoffmann Brothers is the 2025 presenting sponsor of Ball Watching! Headquartered right here in St. Louis for over 40 years, Hoffmann Brothers is a full-service residential & commercial provider, providing Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing, Drains, Sewer, Water Heaters, Duct Cleaning, Electrical and Appliance Repair services. Visit them online at hoffmannbros.com [https://www.hoffmannbros.com/]!

Make The Pitch Athletic Club & Tavern (thepitch-stl.com [https://www.thepitch-stl.com/]) your St. Louis CITY SC pregame and postgame destination for all your food and drink needs! Tell them your friends at Ball Watching sent you...

Shop in-store or online at Series Six (seriessixcompany.com [https://seriessixcompany.com/]) and receive a 15% discount  on all orders storewide using code "BALLWATCHING" at checkout!

A CITY Legend Returns Home | João Klauss Interview

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Ball Watching hosts, Jake Koenig and Justin Graham, recap St. Louis CITY's home win against LA Galaxy, and the upcoming home match against Vancouver Whitecaps!

Follow the show on X and/or Instagram (@BallWatchingSTL)!

Find our guest interviews and all episodes in video form on YouTube by searching https://www.youtube.com/@ballwatchingSTL. Be sure to hit subscribe and turn notifications on!

Hoffmann Brothers is the 2025 presenting sponsor of Ball Watching! Headquartered right here in St. Louis for over 40 years, Hoffmann Brothers is a full-service residential & commercial provider, providing Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing, Drains, Sewer, Water Heaters, Duct Cleaning, Electrical and Appliance Repair services. Visit them online at hoffmannbros.com [https://www.hoffmannbros.com/]!

Make The Pitch Athletic Club & Tavern (thepitch-stl.com [https://www.thepitch-stl.com/]) your St. Louis CITY SC pregame and postgame destination for all your food and drink needs! Tell them your friends at Ball Watching sent you...

Shop in-store or online at Series Six (seriessixcompany.com [https://seriessixcompany.com/]) and receive a 15% discount  on all orders storewide using code "BALLWATCHING" at checkout!

Are You Not Entertained?

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Ball Watching hosts, Jake Koenig and Justin Graham, preview St. Louis CITY's home match against LA Galaxy, and the USMNT's hugely successful Sep/Oct camp!

Follow the show on X and/or Instagram (@BallWatchingSTL)!

Find our guest interviews and all episodes in video form on YouTube by searching https://www.youtube.com/@ballwatchingSTL. Be sure to hit subscribe and turn notifications on!

Hoffmann Brothers is the 2025 presenting sponsor of Ball Watching! Headquartered right here in St. Louis for over 40 years, Hoffmann Brothers is a full-service residential & commercial provider, providing Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing, Drains, Sewer, Water Heaters, Duct Cleaning, Electrical and Appliance Repair services. Visit them online at hoffmannbros.com [https://www.hoffmannbros.com/]!

Make The Pitch Athletic Club & Tavern (thepitch-stl.com [https://www.thepitch-stl.com/]) your St. Louis CITY SC pregame and postgame destination for all your food and drink needs! Tell them your friends at Ball Watching sent you...

Shop in-store or online at Series Six (seriessixcompany.com [https://seriessixcompany.com/]) and receive a 15% discount  on all orders storewide using code "BALLWATCHING" at checkout!

Show Goes On

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Ball Watching hosts, Jake Koenig and Justin Graham, recap St. Louis CITY's away win against Red Bull New York, and the USMNT's recent friendly wins!



Follow the show on X and/or Instagram (@BallWatchingSTL)!

Find our guest interviews and all episodes in video form on YouTube by searching https://www.youtube.com/@ballwatchingSTL. Be sure to hit subscribe and turn notifications on!

Hoffmann Brothers is the 2025 presenting sponsor of Ball Watching! Headquartered right here in St. Louis for over 40 years, Hoffmann Brothers is a full-service residential & commercial provider, providing Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing, Drains, Sewer, Water Heaters, Duct Cleaning, Electrical and Appliance Repair services. Visit them online at hoffmannbros.com [https://www.hoffmannbros.com/]!

Make The Pitch Athletic Club & Tavern (thepitch-stl.com [https://www.thepitch-stl.com/]) your St. Louis CITY SC pregame and postgame destination for all your food and drink needs! Tell them your friends at Ball Watching sent you...

Shop in-store or online at Series Six (seriessixcompany.com [https://seriessixcompany.com/]) and receive a 15% discount  on all orders storewide using code "BALLWATCHING" at checkout!

Taking 3 Points and a Break

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Ball Watching hosts, Jake Koenig and Justin Graham, sit down with St. Louisian and former USMNT World Cup veteran / MLS legend, Brad Davis. Brad joins us to break down the state of the U.S. Men's National Team and the start of the 2030 cycle. We discuss his insights on the 2026 World Cup performance, Mauricio Pochettino’s expanded role through 2030, and the dramatic youth movement currently underway. The conversation highlights the historic first senior call-up of 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan, the strategic absence of marquee veterans like Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun to evaluate the broader player pool, and the influx of eight teenagers and 13 uncapped players. Finally, we preview the upcoming friendlies against Peru, Chile in St. Louis, Mexico, and Canada as the squad kicks off the road to 2030.

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and drop your thoughts in the comments below!

Follow the show on X and/or Instagram (@BallWatchingSTL)!

Find our guest interviews and all episodes in video form on YouTube by searching https://www.youtube.com/@ballwatchingSTL. Be sure to hit subscribe and turn notifications on!

Hoffmann Brothers is the 2025 presenting sponsor of Ball Watching! Headquartered right here in St. Louis for over 40 years, Hoffmann Brothers is a full-service residential & commercial provider, providing Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing, Drains, Sewer, Water Heaters, Duct Cleaning, Electrical and Appliance Repair services. Visit them online at hoffmannbros.com [https://www.hoffmannbros.com/]!

Make The Pitch Athletic Club & Tavern (thepitch-stl.com [https://www.thepitch-stl.com/]) your St. Louis CITY SC pregame and postgame destination for all your food and drink needs! Tell them your friends at Ball Watching sent you...

Shop in-store or online at Series Six (seriessixcompany.com [https://seriessixcompany.com/]) and receive a 15% discount  on all orders storewide using code "BALLWATCHING" at checkout!

A New Era for the USMNT | Brad Davis Interview

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Ball Watching hosts, Jake Koenig and Justin Graham, recap St. Louis CITY's home win against Toronto FC, and the upcoming away match at Red Bull New York!

Follow the show on X and/or Instagram (@BallWatchingSTL)!

Find our guest interviews and all episodes in video form on YouTube by searching https://www.youtube.com/@ballwatchingSTL. Be sure to hit subscribe and turn notifications on!

Hoffmann Brothers is the 2025 presenting sponsor of Ball Watching! Headquartered right here in St. Louis for over 40 years, Hoffmann Brothers is a full-service residential & commercial provider, providing Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing, Drains, Sewer, Water Heaters, Duct Cleaning, Electrical and Appliance Repair services. Visit them online at hoffmannbros.com [https://www.hoffmannbros.com/]!

Make The Pitch Athletic Club & Tavern (thepitch-stl.com [https://www.thepitch-stl.com/]) your St. Louis CITY SC pregame and postgame destination for all your food and drink needs! Tell them your friends at Ball Watching sent you...

Shop in-store or online at Series Six (seriessixcompany.com [https://seriessixcompany.com/]) and receive a 15% discount  on all orders storewide using code "BALLWATCHING" at checkout!

CITY Gets a Shot at History

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Ball Watching hosts, Jake Koenig and Justin Graham, recap St. Louis CITY's away win against Colorado Rapids in U.S. Open Cup Semifinal, and preview the upcoming home match against Toronto FC!

Follow the show on X and/or Instagram (@BallWatchingSTL)!

Find our guest interviews and all episodes in video form on YouTube by searching https://www.youtube.com/@ballwatchingSTL. Be sure to hit subscribe and turn notifications on!

Hoffmann Brothers is the 2025 presenting sponsor of Ball Watching! Headquartered right here in St. Louis for over 40 years, Hoffmann Brothers is a full-service residential & commercial provider, providing Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing, Drains, Sewer, Water Heaters, Duct Cleaning, Electrical and Appliance Repair services. Visit them online at hoffmannbros.com [https://www.hoffmannbros.com/]!

Make The Pitch Athletic Club & Tavern (thepitch-stl.com [https://www.thepitch-stl.com/]) your St. Louis CITY SC pregame and postgame destination for all your food and drink needs! Tell them your friends at Ball Watching sent you...

Shop in-store or online at Series Six (seriessixcompany.com [https://seriessixcompany.com/]) and receive a 15% discount  on all orders storewide using code "BALLWATCHING" at checkout!

Cup Final On The Way

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Ball Watching hosts, Jake Koenig and Justin Graham, recap St. Louis CITY's home win against Minnesota United, and the upcoming U.S. Open Cup Semifinal match away at Colorado Rapids!

Follow the show on X and/or Instagram (@BallWatchingSTL)!

Find our guest interviews and all episodes in video form on YouTube by searching https://www.youtube.com/@ballwatchingSTL. Be sure to hit subscribe and turn notifications on!

Hoffmann Brothers is the 2025 presenting sponsor of Ball Watching! Headquartered right here in St. Louis for over 40 years, Hoffmann Brothers is a full-service residential & commercial provider, providing Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing, Drains, Sewer, Water Heaters, Duct Cleaning, Electrical and Appliance Repair services. Visit them online at hoffmannbros.com [https://www.hoffmannbros.com/]!

Make The Pitch Athletic Club & Tavern (thepitch-stl.com [https://www.thepitch-stl.com/]) your St. Louis CITY SC pregame and postgame destination for all your food and drink needs! Tell them your friends at Ball Watching sent you...

Shop in-store or online at Series Six (seriessixcompany.com [https://seriessixcompany.com/]) and receive a 15% discount  on all orders storewide using code "BALLWATCHING" at checkout!

Chasing The Cup  🏆

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Ball Watching hosts, Jake Koenig and Justin Graham, recap St. Louis CITY's draw away at Portland Timbers, and the upcoming home match against Minnesota United!

Follow the show on X and/or Instagram (@BallWatchingSTL)!

Find our guest interviews and all episodes in video form on YouTube by searching https://www.youtube.com/@ballwatchingSTL. Be sure to hit subscribe and turn notifications on!

Hoffmann Brothers is the 2025 presenting sponsor of Ball Watching! Headquartered right here in St. Louis for over 40 years, Hoffmann Brothers is a full-service residential & commercial provider, providing Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing, Drains, Sewer, Water Heaters, Duct Cleaning, Electrical and Appliance Repair services. Visit them online at hoffmannbros.com [https://www.hoffmannbros.com/]!

Make The Pitch Athletic Club & Tavern (thepitch-stl.com [https://www.thepitch-stl.com/]) your St. Louis CITY SC pregame and postgame destination for all your food and drink needs! Tell them your friends at Ball Watching sent you...

Shop in-store or online at Series Six (seriessixcompany.com [https://seriessixcompany.com/]) and receive a 15% discount  on all orders storewide using code "BALLWATCHING" at checkout!

The Long Way Home

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Ball Watching hosts, Jake Koenig and Justin Graham, recap St. Louis CITY's win away at Vancouver Whitecaps, and the upcoming road match against Portland Timbers!

Follow the show on X and/or Instagram (@BallWatchingSTL)!

Find our guest interviews and all episodes in video form on YouTube by searching https://www.youtube.com/@ballwatchingSTL. Be sure to hit subscribe and turn notifications on!

Hoffmann Brothers is the 2025 presenting sponsor of Ball Watching! Headquartered right here in St. Louis for over 40 years, Hoffmann Brothers is a full-service residential & commercial provider, providing Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing, Drains, Sewer, Water Heaters, Duct Cleaning, Electrical and Appliance Repair services. Visit them online at hoffmannbros.com [https://www.hoffmannbros.com/]!

Make The Pitch Athletic Club & Tavern (thepitch-stl.com [https://www.thepitch-stl.com/]) your St. Louis CITY SC pregame and postgame destination for all your food and drink needs! Tell them your friends at Ball Watching sent you...

Shop in-store or online at Series Six (seriessixcompany.com [https://seriessixcompany.com/]) and receive a 15% discount  on all orders storewide using code "BALLWATCHING" at checkout!

CITY Makes a Statement

Jake Koenig (@jakekoenig28) · Zencastr

Jake Koenig (@jakekoenig28)

Just two armchair analysts covering all things St. Louis CITY SC and soccer in STL.

Ball Watching - a St. Louis CITY SC Podcast